Another day, another pond

 

 The pond by the hide was the second pond to be tackled this year by the Campfield Thursday volunteers. Brambles and grass had grown up in front of the pond and trees around it were shading it and shedding leaves into the water

 

nearly done

 

It was a cold day, but bright and sunny. Because of the frosty weather of the previous days, the ducks and waders had already left the big field in front of the hide, so they weren’t there to be disturbed by our activities as we thinned out the trees, mostly alder, which encircled the pond.

 

Wonderful colour of the alder after it was cut

 

We were well rewarded for our efforts while having lunch in the hide, when a male hen harrier came into view.  It was in hunting mode and we had excellent views as it quartered the field right in front of us. It wasn’t successful though and gave up, to perch on a tussock in the field.

The following week the Discovery pond was on the agenda. Great reed mace or “bulrush” has invaded the pond in the last year or two, growing from seed which must have come in via the little stream which feeds the pond, or maybe the light fluffy seeds were airborne. Which ever way it arrived the reed mace is now choking parts of the pond, smothering other plants and making pond dipping very difficult.

 

So, the task for the Thursday volunteers was to chop down the dead stems of the plants nearest the dipping platform to give at least a temporary respite.  

Mhairi had lowered the water level of the pond substantially so we could get in to do the job. It was probably one of our messier jobs and our wellies were put to the test in the sticky mud, but we got it done.

 

 The Discovery pond is now ready for children and their families to come and enjoy pond dipping and discover the many strange creatures which live in our pond.

In fact by Sunday the water level had risen enough for two small children to enjoy a successful pond dipping session.